Education in British Colonial North America

Outline Regional differences in Settlement Patterns Social changes over time Discussion of readings If time: Education for Native Americans and African Americans

Map of British Colonial North America

Regional Differences New England (MA, CT, RI, NH) Large migration in short period – 1620s Family units Sought religious autonomy Religious homogeneity Good conditions for first generations Small freeholder farms

Variety of ethnic and dissenting religious sects Small freeholder farms Local market Indentured labor Regional Differences Mid-Atlantic (PA, NY, NJ, DE)

Regional Differences South (VA, MD, NC, SC, GA) Commercial venture Dominated by export crops Labor shortage – indentured servants, African slaves Skewed sex ratio (4 men to 1 women) and high mortality rates Hard time establishing stable families Wealthy planters dominate Anglican

Changes in British Colonies during the 18 th century Demographic – population growth Economic/Social – Commerce – Wealthy Merchant Class – Towns and Cities – Slave Labor Cultural – Religious Revivals – Enlightenment – Literacy Rates Regional Differences Diminished

Education How were people educated in colonial North America? What was the purpose of education? Who was responsible for providing education? Who received formal schooling? Who did not? What kinds of education did different groups of people receive?

Missionary Education Native Americans – New England – New York African Americans – Anglican Efforts Emphasize station Ran a few schools Resistance – Individual Efforts